Active Training: A Handbook of Techniques, Designs, Case Examples, and Tips, 4th Edition

Yes, change is the only constant in today's world. A successful training professional embraces change and welcomes the new roles that come with it. How do you stay on top of this? Beverly Kaye, author of Love It Don't Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work, says that you need to be alert to everything that's happening in the world of work. Identify the trends and challenges in the workplace. Talk to people. Identify opportunities to enrich your skills. Stay on top of what's happening in your industry. Predict what will happen.

Even without knowing what will happen in the future you can continue to work on your own development. Share your needs and hopes for continued development. Broaden your skills and knowledge. Learn to be flexible and to watch for opportunities to learn new skills. Learn everything you can about your industry. Set goals and build development plans for your future.

So what about the roles that are upon us now? Although there are many, we have selected six to explore more deeply in this chapter. Onboarding is close to the typical “learning event” with the caveat that it is always with your newest employees—the ones you will want to ensure have a good first impression. The other five roles are not usually thought of as typical training or learning department roles. If you begin thinking of your role as a “talent developer,” however, you will see how each ...